Red Flame

Family: Solanaceae Hot Pepper

A vivid ribbon of heat—Red Flame peppers blaze from glossy green to a saturated, ember-red that feels almost luminous in the garden.

Long, slender fruits hang with a gentle taper and a smooth, taut skin, delivering a bright cayenne-style burn that’s bold yet clean. Grow Red Flame for fiery dried flakes, quick stir-in flavor, and punchy sauces that thrive on its vivid color and lingering warmth.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 7th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 20th
Harvest Begins	Sep 3rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	Stake
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	50
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Red Flame’s cayenne heat is sharp and clean, so it shines when you want the burn to register quickly without turning murky or smoky. Use it for hot oil or fast stir-fries where those ember-red tones and the lingering, crisp warmth can show off.

Best Uses

quick blitz into hot oil for fast, color-forward flavor
stir-in to fried rice, noodles, or pan sauces where the heat needs to pop
slice thin for sashimi-style citrus marinades and bright herb-heavy spreads
dry and grind into vivid cayenne flakes for punchy, no-fuss seasoning
blend into a quick blender hot sauce for a clean heat line

Flavor Profile

bright cayenne-style heat clean, peppery snap with a smooth, taut skin lingering burn that stays crisp rather than smoky slightly vegetal green-leaning note transitioning to sweet-red at full color

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lime ginger black beans chicken olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease pest for Capsicum annuum (Red Flame) in home gardens, and how do I manage it?

Watch for aphids and thrips, which commonly attack Capsicum annuum by sucking sap and spreading stress that can stunt plants. Spray with insecticidal soap (or a strong water blast) targeting leaf undersides, and repeat every 5–7 days for 2–3 rounds. If you see leaves wilting with gray/sooty growth, remove affected foliage promptly and avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal buildup.

How often should I water Red Flame peppers (Capsicum annuum) during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruiting, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for watering whenever the top 1 inch of soil dries out. In hot weather, this may be about 1–2 times per week depending on your soil and container size. Consistent moisture helps peppers fill properly; irregular watering can cause flower drop and misshapen fruit.

How can I tell when Red Flame peppers (Capsicum annuum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are fully elongated and reach the expected size for your plant, usually around 75 days from transplanting or as your tag indicates. For the “red flame” stage, pick when the peppers turn solid red and feel firm (not soft) when gently squeezed. If you harvest earlier for a green stage, allow the longer variety to stay longer for maximum sweetness and full color.